Myanmar told communal violence threatens reforms

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A group of Western and Asian governments are lauding Myanmar's progress toward democracy but warning outbreaks of communal violence could undermine the reforms.

Foreign ministers meeting Thursday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly said in a statement that Myanmar urgently needs to address the political and economic grievances of the Rohingyas, including the question of their citizenship.

The Rohingyas are a minority Muslim group that has suffered badly in sectarian clashes over the past year with majority Buddhists. Oftentimes, security forces have stood by.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said there's much to be done to ensure accountability for the perpetrators.